Flights Canceled: Russia Volcano Spewing Ash Grounds Air Alaska

Low visibility caused by ash from one of three erupting Russian volcanoes forced the cancellations of several Alaska Airlines over the weekend.

Spokeswoman Halley Knigge told KTUU-TV that two flights between Anchorage and Nome on the far western edge of the state were canceled on Saturday. Two other flights between Anchorage and Bethel were also canceled.

Knigge said in an email that company policy prohibits flying through areas of known ash, reported The Associated Press.

Jeff Freymueller of the Alaska Volcano Observatory said three volcanoes are actively erupting on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.

Data collected by the observatory suggested that a quick burst from one of the volcanoes sent ash over the Bering Sea.

Freymueller said winds were expected to cause the ash to dissipate.

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